The Committee noted that the Cabinet on 24^th March 2021 had considered a report from the Black, Asian & Minority Ethnic (BAME) Inequalities Commission and had RESOLVED to note the work that the Commission has undertaken during the four-month period and agreed the recommendations as set out in the report.  This decision however had been ‘Called-In’ by Councillor Puru Miah (signed also by Councillors Peter Gold; Rabina Khan; Harun Miah and Andrew Wood).  The main points raised as result of the questioning may be summarised as follows:

The Committee noted the:

1.    Cabinet report,

2.    Cabinet Decision of the 24^th March 2021

3.    “call in” requisition from the Call-in Members,

4.    representations by the Call-in Members, and

5.    representations by the Executive.

In addition, it was noted that in accordance with the OSC Protocols and Guidance adopted by the Committee at its meeting on 4th June 2013, any Committee Member(s) who present(s) the “Call In” is (are) not eligible to participate in the general debate.

Summary of the Call-in:

The Committee:

v  Noted that the Call-In Members had made two proposals (i) for Mayor and Cabinet not to just note the report, but instead to have it translated into community languages and produced in a non-digital format which should then be distributed in places like Ideas stores and GP surgeries. Then put out to further consultation for a six-month period; and (ii) for an independent panel to be formed to investigate the allegations of racial discrimination made to the Commission and for the panel to report its finding to the full council.

v  Observed that the decision was considered by the Call-In Members to be in breach of Tower Hamlets Council’s common law duty and statutory duties under the law.  As when the BAME Inequalities Report had been launched in October 2020, one of its stated aims had been to “engage and operate at the heart of the LBTH communities to hear about people’s lived experience and solutions, specifically Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic women and young people who experience higher levels of inequality”.  Therefore, the Call-In Members felt that residents had a legitimate expectation for the Council to keep its promise and to consult them fairly, or allow BAME residents, the proper means to engage with the Commission.

v  Noted that the Call-In Members felt that the Council had breached its statutory duties, in particular, the Public Sector Equalities Duty as set out in s.149 of the Equalities Act 2010.  This was by inadequately providing the means for BAME residents to engage with the commission and consultation, the Council had therefore failed in its Public Sector Equalities Duties.  As the Council in its consultation and engagement with the Commission and report had apparently failed to give due regards to the needs of BAME residents.

v  Noted that the Call-In Members considered that the decision to note the report within a week of its publication by the Mayor and Cabinet, when adequately not enabling BAME residents to engage with  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7

The Pre-Decision Scrutiny Questions and officer responses were noted.

DECISION

1.    To note the work the Commission has undertaken during the four-month period and agree the recommendations set out in the report.

Action by:

CHIEF EXECUTIVE (W. TUCKLEY)

(Head of Corporate Strategy and Policy (A. Hoque)

(Strategy and Policy Manager (D. Kerr)

Councillor Asma Begum, Deputy Mayor and Cabinet Member for Children, Youth Services and Education introduced the report. She welcomed the work of the Commission who were presenting the findings from a very thorough investigation and consultation exercise.

She highlighted that recent events including Black Lives Matter protests had highlighted the importance of this issue and that it was vital people from all backgrounds came together to tackle racism and inequality. The pandemic served as strong reminder of the impact of these inequalities.

The commission was looking at four key themes around education, health, community leadership and employment. The commission had worked with a very wide range of people and organisations including partners, service users, and residents.

She then took Cabinet through the findings in more detail and the proposed actions. This included; involving the community to ensure services met their needs, the importance of good data and the need for collaborative working amongst other issues. The report and action plan would be monitored annually by the partnership and they would have ownership of the activities.

The meeting heard a number of contributors who expressed concern as to whether the report recommendations sufficiently covered all the issues that had been raised with particular reference to:

·       Concerns about institutional racism.

·       Whether targets were specific enough or would happen quickly.

·       Further community consultation, in community languages was required as not all groups had effectively been engaged in the review.

·       The need to actively call out racist actions by organisations.

·       The extent to which the Council as an organisation reflected its community.

The Mayor welcomed the report and highlighted that it was a living document that needed to be taken on and developed by the Council and its partners. Cabinet Members spoke to welcome the report and highlighted positive areas set out such as the wide representation in community leadership roles, the work at schools, employment support and more. The wide range of testimony heard at the commission was noted and welcomed.

Cabinet thanked the commission for their hard work to prepare this report. It was noted how far the borough had come over the years but that there was still more to do and that the report, and the actions coming out of it, were an important part of this progress. It was also noted that further work needed to take place to create more detailed and specific actions under each of the broad areas set out in the report.

The Mayor noted the pre-decision scrutiny questions and officer responses and proposed the recommendation as set out for the vote. This was agreed without dissent and it was:

RESOLVED

1.    To note the work the Commission has undertaken during the four-month period and agree the recommendations set out in the report.